Men's Golf Shoots into 2nd Place at Otter Invitational

Mario Beltran holds a two-stroke lead in the Otter Invitational in Seaside, Calif. Photo by Joel Auerbach

SEASIDE, Calif. -- Barry University freshman Mario Beltran holds a two-stroke lead entering the final round of the Otter Invitational, hosted by Cal State Monterey Bay.

Beltran shot 6-under 138 in the opening two rounds of the 15-team, 80-player tournament at the 6,699-yard, par-72 BlackHorse Golf Course on the West Coast. His 68-70 opening day in the 54-hole tournament leads Chico State's Allstair Docherty's 4-under 72-68 and five others, including Buccaneers teammate Jared Dalga, who are tied for third at 3-under.

Dalga shot 71-70 -- 141 Monday. Buccaneers sophomore Adam Svensson is eight strokes off the lead at 2-over 146 in a four-way tie for 13th.

The Buccaneers are 15 strokes behind the host Otters after shooting 291-290 -- 581. Cal State Monterey Bay shot 285-281 -- 566. Chico State and Western Washington are tied for third at 591. UC San Diego is fifth at 595.

Beltran leads the tournament in par-4 scoring at 5-under par. He shares a spot with Svensson and two others tied for second in par-5 scoring holes at 3-under. Beltran had six birdies in the opening round and three more in the second.

Dalga had four birdies in each of the opening two rounds. Svensson had seven birdies in the two rounds combined.